LL-L 'Etymology' 2006.07.03 (07) [E]

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L O W L A N D S - L * 03 July 2006 * Volume 07
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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Etymology

Under 'Names' I wrote today:

>> Hendrik van 'n Draod
> In Low Saxon of Germany I'd say _Henrik up 'n Draad_ ("... on the wire"),
> meaning "Henry (is) with it," "Henry (is) a/the clever puppy." 

These days it tends to be without the article: _up draad_ ~ _op draad_ (<up
Draht> ~ <op Draht>), in Northern German also _auf Draht_.  

(By the way, the _aa_ <ah> is pronounced like the <ao> is in our Henry's dialect,
namely like in posh Southern English "party" or in Swedish _bra_ 'good'.)

Now, I wonder if this really has something to do with "wire" or originally meant
something different.  Or could it have something to do with _draad'_ ~ _dra_ (<
_drade_) 'quick(ly)', 'prompt(ly)', 'immediate(ly)', '(very) soon'?  If so,
perhaps the original version of the idiomatic expression was without the article
after all.

By what does _draod_ mean in Henry's neck of the woods and there abouts?

Any idea?

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

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